Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad salutes Press community

Manama, May 7 (BNA): First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sport, President of Bahrain Athletic Association and founder of the KHK MMA Organisation His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa has congratulated the affiliates of the press and media marking the Bahrain Press Day, celebrated every May 7 following directives from His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. Shaikh Khalid asserted that the Bahraini Press has made quantum leaps during HM King Hamad’s prosperous era through the Royal Reform Project which, he said, consolidated the freedoms of opinion and expression. He added that the steady increase in the number of press publications in the kingdom reflects the freedom of expression prevailing in Bahrain, and indicates the status of the Press as an effective partner in the comprehensive development march. The Reform Project, spearheaded by HM the King, considered the Press as an essential partner for boosting the kingdom’s development progress and consolidated its role as a fourth estate, alongside the executive, legislative and judicial branches, noting that the Press in Bahrain has played a crucial role in cementing national unity, strengthened the values of citizenship and belonging to the nation and set the example in placing national interests above all others. Shaikh Khalid lauded the content of the keynote address delivered by HM King Hamad on the World Press Freedom Day on May 3 in which HM confirmed the key role played by the Press in building nations. He extended thanks and appreciation to the Press community in Bahrain for their sincere desire to contribute to the kingdom’s progress march, valuing highly their responsible patriotic role.